We arrived in La Paz on Sunday, Deciembre 10 and found a spot in our friend from last year, Marina de La Paz. We like this marina because of its friendly and knowledgeable owners, proximity to town, and good cafe. And since La Paz is the capitol of Baja California Sur, it has everything we could want, or at least a good way to get it. La Paz means "The Peace" in Spanish and the town was so named due to the peaceful harbor in the midst of what can be dangerous seas.
Upon inspection of a testy auto pilot the night we arrived, we found a leak in the rudder shaft that will necesitate a haul out to replace a ball bearing. Gotta order the part from Sweden and getting it through customs will be no easy fete. So, we'll be here a while.
At night, the beat from discos mixes with the church bells and the city lights shine along the waterfront. Christmas decorations are up all over, even on boats in the marina. I shopped the local up-scale department store and found coats and gloves. I have been asked by locals if I'm not cold wearing a T-shirt and shorts or pants. But it's in the 80s here, although it cools off to the high 50s at night, which feels chilly in the sea breeze.
Three marinas harbor a lot of U.S. boats here and there are many U.S. boaters here. There is also an alcoholics anonymous group. Hanging out in Mexico seems to have its pitfalls.
